Beginning After the Deadline
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. Is there a legal way to begin homeschooling after the August 15 deadline?
A. Yes, according to the homeschool statute, parents may begin homeschooling after the August 15 deadline for two reasons: 1) if they move into a new school division or 2) if they decide to homeschool after the school year begins. The Virginia homeschool statute (§22.1-254.1 (B)) states:
“Any parent who moves into a school division or begins home instruction after the school year has begun shall notify the division superintendent of his intentions to provide home instruction as soon as practicable and shall thereafter comply with the requirements of this section within thirty days of such notice.”
Beginning after the August 15 deadline does not mean parents can willingly avoid or carelessly neglect the deadline. Laxness can result in the superintendent enforcing the deadline and not accepting your Notice of Intent. The law refers to parents who move or who “begin” to homeschool, indicating they have decided to homeschool at this time of the school year.
If you decide to homeschool after the August 15 deadline, you should notify the superintendent as soon as practical and then comply with the statute requirements within 30 days. If you withdraw your children from public school to begin homeschooling, it is very beneficial to understand the Virginia homeschool laws and your rights in order to prevent possible issues with the school district.
If you’re a new Virginia resident, or if you’ve moved from one school district to another in Virginia, contact the local division superintendent’s office by phone, letter, or by filing a preliminary “Notice of Intent to Provide Home Instruction” form. You then have 30 days to complete the requirements and fully comply with the homeschool statute (§22.1-254.1).
Yvonne Bunn @ August 30, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
NOI Acknowledgment
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. I sent in my NOI (Notice of Intent) and haven’t had a response from the superintendent. How long does it normally take to get a response, and what do I do if I don’t get one?
A. The law does not require a superintendent to respond to a Notice of Intent (NOI). However, many superintendents do respond with a letter acknowledging receipt of your NOI. If you have fulfilled the requirements of §22.1-254.1, and have notified the superintendent as the law requires, you may begin homeschooling with or without a response from the superintendent.
This is a good reason to send your NOI “return receipt requested.” By sending the NOI this way, you will know the superintendent has received your notice, even if he does not acknowledge it.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 19, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Religious Exemption and Notice of Intent
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. Do I file a Notice of Intent (NOI) if my family is religiously exempt?
A. No, if you have met the requirements of religious exemption, you do NOT file a yearly Notice of Intent. Parents who have sincere religious convictions against sending their children to school may choose to comply with §22.1-254 (B)(1), which states:
A school board shall excuse from attendance at school any pupil who, together with his parents, by reason of bona fide religious training or belief is conscientiously opposed to attendance at school. For purposes of this subdivision, “bona fide religious training or belief” does not include essentially political, sociological or philosophical views or a merely personal moral code…
In addition, §22.1-254(H)(5) states that children who are excused under religious exemption are excused from all provisions of the compulsory attendance law, including the homeschool requirements listed in §22.1-254.1.
The Notice of Intent–which is not for those homeschooling under religious exemption–shows how you have complied with the homeschool statute §22.1-254.1. Under this statute, you must provide yearly evidence of compliance (options i, ii, iii, or iv), a description of your curriculum, and an end-of-the-year assessment.
With religious exemption, you have complied with a different section of the Virginia Code §22.1-254 (B)(1), and you are not under these requirements.
NOTE: For more information on religious exemption, see the Virginia Homeschool Manual.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 11, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (1)
Free Portrait Session and Free 8×10 Portrait for HEAV Members–New Member Benefit!
Philippe and Patti Monk of Living Story Photography (a homeschool dad and mom) have extended an incredible package to all HEAV members: one FREE portrait session and a free 8×10 portrait! Here are the details.
Who: All HEAV members qualify. Not a member? Join today for just $35 a year! Your membership helps keep homeschooling in Virginia free.
What: A FREE portrait session and a FREE 8×10 portrait–a $216 value!
How: Call 804-445-1381 or 540-207-5006! Simply mention you’re an HEAV member, and bring your membership card with you to your session.
This is a great opportunity to capture precious memories through photos! As always, thank you for your continual support of HEAV–we couldn’t do what we do without YOU!
Blog @ August 10, 2011 | General | Comments (0)
Beginning with a Preschooler
Q. I am thinking about homeschooling my preschooler. Can you recommend any resources?
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
A. The preschool years are a wonderful time to teach because young children are so eager to learn. We have lots of information and numerous resources that will give you many ideas about what to cover and how to work with your child. HEAV’s website has some great preschool information, including a special FREE preschool edition of our magazine that has lots of great tips, articles, places to visit, and resource suggestions.
When you begin working with your preschooler, one of the secrets to success is to keep learning simple and brief. A preschooler’s attention span is usually short, so, to keep him engaged, make learning fun–play educational games; introduce counting with hands-on manipulatives; take nature walks; cut and paste shapes; trace letters; follow mazes; and read, read, read to your child. What your child will be able to accomplish will be based on his maturity and readiness.
It’s important not to push your preschooler. Give him or her unstructured time to play—after all, play is a child’s work. This is the time to deal with issues of the heart. Lovingly teach obedience to your instructions and help him develop self-control. Remember, preschool is “preparation” for academics.
You might be interested in looking at Making the Most of the Preschool Years; Slow & Steady, Get Me Ready; and Five in a Row. Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp is also excellent. (Ted Tripp will be speaking at the 2012 convention!)
We also have a special Preschool Starter Pack that lets you save more than $27 off retail on the Virginia Homeschool Manual and What Your Kindergartner Needs to Know, Shepherding a Child’s Heart, and Five Love Languages for Children. These are some of the best resources available.
NOTE: For details about when you need to file a Notice of Intent for kindergarten, see this Homeschool Q&A.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 10, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Diploma Needed
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. Do I really have to send my diploma? I don’t have it! What should I do?
A. Yes, if you checked option (i) on the Notice of Intent form, you should send verification of a high school diploma or higher. This could be a photocopy of either parent’s high school diploma or a higher degree, such as a diploma from a college, technical school, nursing school, etc. You can send a copy of your transcript instead of a diploma.
If you don’t have your degree or transcript, request a copy of your transcript from the degree-granting institution. If it doesn’t arrive before August 15, you could send in your NOI by the deadline with a note saying you have requested the necessary documentation and will send it to the superintendent’s office as soon as it arrives.
For more information about filing your Notice of Intent, see HEAV’s Notice of Intent FAQ.
NOTE: A GED is not acceptable in place of a high school diploma.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 2, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
Notifying the Superintendent of Graduation
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. My teen graduated in June. Do I notify the superintendent? Or send the diploma and transcript, or tell the superintendent my teen is 18, or what?
A. The law does NOT require you to notify your superintendent that your teen has completed home instruction. You would not want to send a copy of your teen’s diploma and/or transcript because the superintendent has no authority to view or have a record of a homeschooler’s diploma or transcript. Once your child graduates, no action is required by the law.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 2, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)
NOI for Kindergarten?
This post is part of a series titled, “Homeschool Q&A.” The series features questions we’ve received from parents on a variety of topics–and the answers!
Q. Do we have to submit Notice of Intent for a five-year-old kindergartener?
A. According to the Virginia homeschool statute, if your child will be five years old on or before September 30, and has not passed his eighteenth birthday, he must attend school (§22.1-254 (A)). He can attend a government school, private or parochial school, homeschool, or be taught by a licensed tutor or teacher. If you will be homeschooling your five-year-old (five on September 30), you should file a Notice of Intent (NOI). However, there is an exemption to this statute.
If, in your opinion as the parent, you believe your five-year-old child is not ready for school because he is not mentally, physically, or emotionally prepared, he may be exempted for that year (§22.1-254 (H)(5)). This exemption may be made for a child who is not six on or before September 30. The statute states that you should notify your local school board that you don’t want him to attend school until the following year. A call to the local school board office asking what notification procedure you should follow would be helpful because policies differ. Sometimes this phone call is all that is necessary; at other times, a letter may be required. Don’t be surprised if the secretary is not familiar with this statute—just quote the statute reference above.
If you decide to keep your five-year-old at home, you may still teach your child in a manner suitable for his age and maturity. When he is six, you may file a Notice of Intent and teach him as a kindergartner or first grader, whichever is more appropriate for his maturity level.
NOTE: Regardless of whether you file a NOI or not, children who are five years old on September 30 are not required to take an end-of-year test or have an evaluation the following spring.
Yvonne Bunn @ August 2, 2011 | Homeschool Q&A | Comments (0)